Perhaps the biggest challenge will be getting every member of the household to follow the same rules and routines with a puppy. The only way dogs really learn rules is through consistency. It is easy for a puppy to never quite get the training down when different family members treat the puppy differently.
The most challenging time of raising a puppy is the adolescent period. Dogs become “teenagers” and seem to forget everything they have ever been taught. This period is individual to each dog, but it may begin when he's about eight months old and continue until he's two years old.
normal. It's OK to feel scared – everyone does. New owners worry about whether their puppy is healthy and happy, whether they are doing things right, and ultimately if they are going to be any good at being a dog owner. You are out of your comfort zone and everything is new so these feelings are totally natural.
The first day you take home a puppy is one of the most anticipated and exciting. However, after the first week or so, having a new puppy could become one of the most tiring and stressful. Your new life could start to feel overwhelming. We want to tell you, you're not alone in feeling overwhelmed.
Puppies go through phases, some owners may find things get easier once they have been potty trained, others may not find things improve until their pup starts to mature at 18 months+. There are a lot of variables, including your dog's personality, breed, your approach to training, and whether you can meet their needs.
Undesirable behaviours such as barking, chewing, counter surfing, house-soiling and jumping up commonly begin to occur at around 3-6 months of age. Your puppy will not grow out of these behaviours. On the contrary, it is more likely that these behaviours will worsen if not addressed early on.
So the answer is, it will get easier and easier, depending on how much effort you put into educating your dog. You should therefore remain hopeful in the process during the first year. It's several months of intense work that will give you many years of wonderful companionship with your dog.
Establish a consistent routine and rules - reward good behaviour and ignore bad behaviour. Feed them the same puppy food as they had before and keep the same routine with small, regular meals. Continue puppy toilet training by rewarding them when they go outside.
It's OK to regret getting a puppy. Pets can be a hefty commitment, especially when they're young and require training and guidance. The “post-puppy blues” or simply “puppy blues” are a natural response to the sudden lack of freedom and increase of responsibilities that can come with a new dog.
Not knowing what's normal for your dog at its age and stage of development, as well as not knowing how to deal with issues like barking or resource guarding, can make you feel lost. Whether you have a puppy or a new dog, all the things you don't know can start to feel overwhelming and take up a lot of mental energy.
There is so much you're trying to teach your new puppy, that it can feel overwhelming: house-training, sleeping through the night, not to nip, not to chew, and all the other household rules you've established. Add to that a puppy's natural curiosity and energy, and you might start to feel as if he'll never get it.
If you are in the 3-4 months range and feel like you are exhausted and overwhelmed, take a deep breath as this is likely the most difficult stage you will face. By the time your puppy is 5-6 months old, he/she is most likely fully potty trained and a bit more trustworthy around the house.
While you'd think that helplessness would make it harder to raise a baby than a puppy, the opposite is true. That helplessness is exactly what makes babies so comparatively easy to raise. The job isn't, in the grand scheme of things, as hard as people would have you believe. For starters, babies are immobile.
As a last resort, you may be able to surrender your pet to a local shelter or rescue organization. Each agency may have a different process for surrendering a pet to their care; learn more by visiting their website or by calling ahead.
The one thing to keep in mind is that in most cases puppy blues is only temporary. It probably doesn't feel like it, but puppy blues tend to fade away somewhere between a few weeks and a few months until you can barely even remember having felt overwhelmed. Give it time.
A shelter or rescue might be able to take your puppy off your hands, or allow you to keep your puppy as a foster until they can help you find a new home for them. Shelter and rescues have networks of potential adopters and usually have protocols to ensure that your puppy is going to a good home.
On the first night, and for about three weeks, have the puppy sleep in a dog crate next to the bed. Line the base with blankets so that it is cosy and drape another blanket over the top to help it feel more secure. Give the puppy the stuffed toy that has its littermates' scent on it to snuggle up to.
Keep in mind though, that it generally takes about three weeks for a dog or puppy to start to feel 'at home' and to show their true nature. This is an activity you should do before you get your dog or puppy home.
Just like any new family member, your puppy is going to need a lot of your time and attention. But just how much is needed for your dog to thrive? Many experts agree that a minimum of 2-3 hours of active interaction and engagement is appropriate for puppies.
The phrase “Puppy Blues” refers to feelings of anxiety, depression, or both related to acquiring a dog under the age of one. Symptom severity may change daily, but overall, these feelings interfere with your ability to function daily. Nearly 70% of puppy owners reported symptoms of anxiety, depression, or both.
Puppies can be destructive. They want to explore, chew, lick, and possibly even eat things in their environment. They don't know manners and may act unruly or hyperactive. All puppies need to be trained and socialized; they also need a lot of exercise.
The five biggest reasons people gave for choosing a puppy were: To bond with them from a young age (67% of survey respondents included this reason) To train them themselves (49%) So they grow up with their own children (37%)